We’ll give it a right good go, says boss

ARMED with a new shirt sponsor if not a new-look squad, The Cards return to Conference action at Southport on Saturday keen to advertise that with a little luck and a prevailing wind, they can make the coveted play-offs this season.

With a low key pre-season now behind them Glenn Cockerill’s men are eager to get on with the business of the league, starting at Haig Avenue, a ground that has proved a graveyard for previous Woking managers. “I can’t wait,” said the boss. “The lads have worked really hard and are ready for it. The work has been done physically and mentally but now it’s the bread and butter. “The majority of my players are like me and are desperate to get going. I know we’re not the finished article but thy are looking forward to it and we’ll give it a right good go.” Cockerill believes he has the squad to make a play-off push and added: “Id like to think we’re good enough for the play-offs and that we might have an injury free season for a change. I think I’ve got a squad with a fantastic attitude and if things go well for us on the injury front and we get a bit of luck, I think we can be up there.” Gone from the playing squad that finished last season are Justin Richards, Clint Davies, Lloyd Blackman, Stuart Nethercott, (who was on loan), Paul Watson and Malik Buari while Chris Sharpling is no longer on the wage bill, but a possible addition if he gets himself fit. Shola Oyedele — also on loan last season — has signed, to join new recruits Ollie Berquez, from Stevenage, and Danny Bunce — who spent 10 years at West Ham — from Cambridge United. Youngsters Aaron Howe, Giuseppe Sole and Jerome Maledon are on one-year contracts — with Sole making a big impression in pre-season although unlikely to be used in a starting XI by Cockerill. Goma Lambu, a triallist, could also feature. “Goma’s quite happy to stay,” said Cockerill. “I can’t make him an offer as yet but he’s happy to keep coming in and that’s his decision.” Although Woking have failed to replace top scorer Richards — with Kezie Ibe looking a possible recruit until he cracked a rib — Cockerill is unconcerned and will rely on Craig McAllister to fight a lone role up front with wide men in support. “I’m pleased with the way the lads have taken to how we’re trying to play and now the hard work starts at Southport,” he said. “The way we’re playing Macca is massive to us. But there’s always ways of getting people in if something happens to him. “Giuseppe Sole has come on a bundle. I know he’s not the answer, don’t get me wrong. But we can’t afford not to keep people like him at the club. I’d be a twit because he’d be somewhere else instead.” While Cockerill’s restricted budget has been a topic of discussion in recent weeks, he maintains he is happy with what he’s got. “We could look enviously at other clubs but money doesn’t guarantee a top six spot or a top five spot,” he said. “It doesn’t guarantee you anything. Your players will guarantee you that, in how they apply themselves each week and each game. I can’t worry about what other teams are getting. “I know my budget and I’m not going to moan about it. I think I’ve got a group of players within that budget who can compete at this level. I’m more than happy with them.” Bunce for one is backing Cockerill’s plan to use McAllister as the focal point of the attack and sees himself as pivotal in making sure the formation works as planned. “As a full back I love to get forward and link up with the attacking play,” he said. “Sometimes the lone striker does get a little bit isolated so it’s important for the two wide men to join in and if we can get close together and work as a team the formation will work well. “With this squad we should be top eight and if we make the play-offs, all well and good.” Oyedele, used in a holding role in midfield in pre-season added: “We’ve got a structure to it even though it’s not natural to some of the boys. “We’ve got to work on it a bit but I enjoy it because I get on the ball a lot more and I get to use the ball because passing is my strength. “We have Macca up front who is a good target man so when it goes up to him if we can feed off him and we get the timing of the runs right then he can bring a lot more people into the play. “Steve Ferguson has got a lot of pace and Giuseppe is coming through so it’s not really a problem not having forwards. I believe we can build on last season and do a lot more with this squad.” As the News and Mail went to press, Woking were still due to host Crawley Town on Tuesday.